Volleyball Opens Big 12 Play At Colorado This Weekend

By Athletics Communications

University of Oklahoma

SEPTEMBER 14, 2000

Sept. 14, 2000

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma head volleyball coach Kalani Mahi and Colorado head volleyball coach Pi'i Aiu, former high school teammates, meet for the first time as head coaches of collegiate volleyball programs when the Sooners take on the Buffaloes Saturday in Boulder, Colo. Both graduates of Kamehameha High School in Honolulu, Mahi and Aiu's teams square off at 7 p.m. in the Coors Events/Conference Center. The match will open Big 12 Conference play for the Sooners.

Colorado holds a commanding 23-9 series lead over OU. CU has won the last six meetings between the two schools, including an 18-5 game margin. The last time the Sooners pulled off a win against the Buffaloes was on November 2, 1996, when OU defeated CU, 3-2, in Norman. OU last won in Boulder in 1988 when the Sooners took a 3-2 victory from the Buffaloes.

OU enters the contest with a 5-3 record after dropping their last three matches, including a recent three-game loss to Arkansas on Tuesday. As a team, Oklahoma is averaging 15.11 kills per game and a .236 hitting percentage. Senior middle blocker Cathy Cook, who posted a season-high 25 kills against the Lady Razorbacks, leads the Sooners offensively with a 4.93 kills per game average and a .436 hitting percentage. Fellow senior setter Carolyn Kittell tops the team in assists (11.96) and service aces per game (0.56), while senior middle blocker Holly McMillan averages a team-best 1.07 blocks per game.

Colorado currently owns a 3-4 record heading into Saturday's match. Winners of two of their last three matches, UC fell in their conference-opening match to Kansas, 3-2, Wednesday night in Lawrence, Kan. The Buffaloes sport a team .179 hitting percantage and a 15.79 kills per game average. Their leading hitter is sophomore outside hitter Kim Taskey who lands 3.63 kills per game, while also contributing significantly on the defensive end with 2.41 digs per game.

The media and fans are invited to attend the team's open practice Thursday night, Sept. 14, from 5-7 p.m. in the OU Field House. The practice will include introductions of the 2000 team and new coaching staff, as well as an intra-squad scrimmage. An autograph and interview session with the players and coaches will be held immediately following the scrimmage.

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